If you do answer yes to most of the questions below, you won’t even allow us to pretend your chances in the business aren’t pretty good.

Do you describe yourself as somebody who never gives up?

For every positive answer you will receive as an entrepreneur, you will receive a score of negative ones. Will you take it in stride? Can you keep up the “fight” for years without getting a salary? An entrepreneur does not ever give up, underscores Beninese designer Maureen Ayité (Nanawax): “Giving up because you had a setback is akin to deflating your three good tyres after one got flat!”

Does your project qualify as a personal passion?

Blasé is not the key to success in entrepreneurship. If you do not really like what you are doing, the mountains you need to overcome seem that much taller. Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa said it best (in Forbes) : “A vision on its own is not enough. Hard work & dedication is required to make that vision a reality.”

Do you have social skills?

Being a loner does not disqualify you for success, but being unable to connect with other human beings could. Strong social skills are required to form partnerships, attract customers or join networks within your industry.

Are you creative?

Creativity is not the exclusive province of writers and artists. It features among the top characteristics of succesful entrepreneurs. Creativity provides for ways to invent solutions to everyday problems. Where a person lacking creativity sees an obstacle, a good entrepreneur actually glimpses an opportunity!

Are you always hungry for knowledge?

Most successful entrepreneurs dedicate a fair share of their time to their personal development. They constantly train and study to understand how their business can adapt and retain relevancy on the long term.

Are you able to work hard?

The heavy workload of the typical entrepreneur will bury you if you are the lazy type. Entrepreneurs play more than one role, work on weekends and make personal sacrifices for the business, unafraid.
The famous Tanzanian entrepreneur Reginald Mengi exemplifies this (in Forbes): “I grew up in poverty, but I always saw it as a challenge. The good thing is that you can surmount a challenge if you are willing to pay the price. The price is hard work.“